Cold War: Summary: When President Clinton took office he had to deal with the uncertainty that followed the Cold War. One of these uncertainties was Russia. Russia wasn’t quite making it as a democracy and there was a fear that they would go back to their communist ways. With Russia on the fritz, Clinton also had to worry about Communist China. Before Clinton became president he claimed he was going to protect the Chinese citizens. Shortly after he took oath, he went back on that statement and protected China’s trading interests.
Primary Document Analysis (1):
President William J. Clinton gave his Inaugural Addres to the American people on January 20, 1993. In his third paragraph, the first sentence tells of how the war may be over but there is still a threat to the world. He goes on to say that American's need to defend and protect what "we've done so much to make." Clinton says, "When our vital interests are challenged...We will act with peaceful democracy whenever possible, with force if necessary." The President was saying that even though the Cold War had ended, Americans had no problem going to war with anyone who challenged them. First Inaugural Address of William J. Clinton
President William J. Clinton giving his Inaugural Address
Primary Document Analysis (2):
Secretary of State James Baker spoke at the World Affairs Council in Dallas in March of 1990 to promote democracy to nations with fallen dictators. According to Baker, “Ever since World War II, democratic values have been shadowed by the threat of totalitarian aggression. Now, as the threat is reduced and the shadow recedes, those values are bright and shining and out in the open.” Baker believes democracy is the answer to fixing a lot of nations problems. His speech can be summed up in one sentence, “The time of sweeping away the old dictators is passing fast; the time of building up the new democracies has arrived.” The Secretary of State believed that a democratic government can be beneficial for all nations. His idea is to get “idealism vs. realism [to become] idealism plus realism.” Democracy and Foreign Policy (1990)
Economy: Summary: Throughout Bill Clintons 1992 campaign for the Presidency, he was the candidate that wanted to lead the country out of it’s economic crisis. Clinton ended up beating George Bush in the polls because the public didn’t believe Bush had a plan for stimulating the economy. (The economy had slipped into a recession after the Persian Gulf War in 1991.) Soon after Clinton became president the economy began to grow. Also during this time, the stock market grew, unemployment dropped and inflation stayed low. One of Clintons first order of business as president was to reduce America’s $4 trillion debt. He succeeded in doing this.
Primary Document Analysis (1): Bill Clinton spoke to the people at the Wharton School of Business on April 16, 1992. This speech was given when he was still only a governor. His economic strategy was to, "Grant every American the right to education and trainging. And also, invest time, patience, and money to rebuild the economy." Clinton goes on to talk about how to rebuild America for the long term and what will need to happen to get America back on track. He realized what George H.W Bush was doing wasn't working. He outlined his ideas to try to fix what happened. Clinton wanted to let America grow economically. The Economy: Speech
Primary Document Analysis (2):
President Clinton addressed leaders of Congress, members of the cabinet, and many other distinguished guests on September 14, 1993 to discuss the benefits of NAFTA. Clinton was about to sign the papers for NAFTA, North American Free Trade Agreement, and spoke of how this new development would strengthen the economy. He states that exports are a large part of the American Economy and how the trade agreement would make it even stronger. This opportunity would create many new jobs for the American people. He embraced the fact that wars have weakened the economy but strongly believed that the only way to recover was to keep moving forward and accepting changes and creating "the jobs of tomorrow." NAFTA would open up more paths for exports. NAFTA was a new idea that strengthened the economy of the 90's. It was influential and strong, and is still in place today. President Clinton signing the NAFTA papers was what allowed this new opportunity to begin and continue working. President Clinton Signing NAFTA
President Clinton signing the NAFTA papers
Technology: Summary: Technology had a huge impact on the 1990’s. About 20% of the work force was high technology jobs. Clinton wanted every hospital and every classroom to be connected to the “information superhighway” by the year 2002. This was obtained by using the Internet. (Which was originally developed by the Dept. of Defense for research.) Technology also impacted health care. Doctors came up with new drug treatments for AIDS. MRI’s were now faster and could be used more often. Technology also improved prosthetic limbs for amputees. With new advances in genetic engineering, food was engineered to last longer and the cloning of animals became more frequent. Transportation and Space Exploration were also impacted in positive ways.
Primary Document Analysis(1): Bill Gates spoke to his executive staff at Microsoft about the internet on May 26, 1995. He sent a memo to his staff telling them that all they've been doing for the past 20 years is getting more important. He was excited about the Internet and believed it would have a huge impact on "work, learning, and play." He said that the internet should be the highest level of importance in his company. The rest of the "Internet Tidal Wave Memo" goes on to describe the new software that he wanted to develop to make the internet easier for everyone. Gates' memo caused a morale boost for his employees which helped them get inspired to invent things that make internet easier for everyone. Microsoft's technology did have, and still has, a big impact on American's lives. The Internet Tidal Wave
Bill Gates at Microsoft
Primary Document Analysis(2): Vice President Al Gore spoke at the International Telecommunications Union on March 21, 1994 to discuss his hopes to build a Global Information Infrastructure. He discussed how it would create a network available to everyone all over the world. Not only would this help with education, but it would also help promote democratic ideas. He also hoped that the internet would help cooperation and communication for all people. The new technology in the 90’s benefited many, if not all, Americans and was able to “link the people of the world.” Vice President AL GORE Information Superhighways Speech
Civil Rights: Summary: A major issue in the 90’s was gay rights. "or whether homosexuals should be deprived of the basic rights granted them under the Constitution. serious opponents of "gay rights" readily admit our political system should provide an arena of tolerance for homosexuals, and be assiduous in assuring that all citizens--regardless of their sexual orientation--are secure in their basic rights." A huge gain for civil rights in the 1990’s was the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act, “prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.” Immigration was also at a record high number in the 1990’s. More than a million people a year were crossing our borders. Most settled in the Southeast, Midwest, and Rocky Mountain Regions.
Primary Document Analysis (1):
Executive Order 12958, signed by President Bill Clinton in April of 1995, released Classified National Security Information to the public. President Clinton felt that the public should be allowed to know what was going on in the Government. He felt, "The Nation's progress depends on the free flow of information. This order only allows certain information be released to the public because of safety reasons." The government trusts the American people with more information than before. The Clinton Administration wanted to open some of its doors and let the public know of its activities. This also means that the national security threat had to be down for this kind of information to be available. Executive Order 12958
Primary Document Analysis (1): On July 26, 1990 Congress passed The Americans with Disabilities Act. Because the amount of Americans with disabilities continued increasing, Congress believed that it was important to establish rules against discrimination. This act ensured equal rights for all people and made aids and services available for those who need them. This reduced prejudice towards the handicapped in the 90’s and set more restrictions on what employers could to all people who worked for them. Americans with Disabilities Act; July 26, 1990
Culture: Summary: The 90’s were generally “a time of peace” and involved many social upgrades. A new trend of grunge rock dominated the music scene. Many people focused on individuality and freedom and enjoyed new benefits of technological advances. Because new information was available online, everyone was able to share and experience other cultures, as well as communicate easier. Families in the 90’s were “prosperous” as “the divorce rate began to stabilize.” Suburbs were more popular because large city housing was expensive. Telecommuting, working from home, was also used more. Television also saw change with the introduction of “24-hour CNN new coverage” and of course, the premiere of “Beavis and Butthead.” Almost all Americans were able to receive several channels with the spread of satellite TV.
Beavis and Butthead
Primary Document Analysis(1):
Economist Milton Friedman wrote a letter to the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Bill Bennett, in April of 1990. Friedman believed that drugs were a major issue in society. He believed drugs should be legalized because, “through repressed and illegal channels [it] creates obscene profits that finance the murderous tactics of the drug lords.” He also thought that illegality leads to corrupt government officials. Friedman went on the link the prohibition of drugs to the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920’s. He thought nothing good could come of it. In his opinion, the money used to fight the spread of drugs should have been used to help rehabilitate drug users. Drug use, especially crack, was on the rise in the 1990’s. Milton Friedman saw a problem in society and proposed a way to fix it. An Open Letter to Bill Bennett
Milton Friedman
Primary Document Analysis (2): Blink-182’s “Girl Next Door”, released in 1994, captured the 90’s culture flawlessly. The girl in the song moves from the big city where she had originally lived. Many American’s moved from their city homes as well and into the suburbs. It also says that she “never missed a day of work” which was similar for many Americans as quite a few of them worked straight from their homes. This song is in the punk rock genre which is part of the grunge trend, a major movement in the 90’s. Blink 182 Lyrics - The Girl Next Door
Summary:
When President Clinton took office he had to deal with the uncertainty that followed the Cold War. One of these uncertainties was Russia. Russia wasn’t quite making it as a democracy and there was a fear that they would go back to their communist ways. With Russia on the fritz, Clinton also had to worry about Communist China. Before Clinton became president he claimed he was going to protect the Chinese citizens. Shortly after he took oath, he went back on that statement and protected China’s trading interests.
Primary Document Analysis (1):
President William J. Clinton gave his Inaugural Addres to the American people on January 20, 1993. In his third paragraph, the first sentence tells of how the war may be over but there is still a threat to the world. He goes on to say that American's need to defend and protect what "we've done so much to make." Clinton says, "When our vital interests are challenged...We will act with peaceful democracy whenever possible, with force if necessary." The President was saying that even though the Cold War had ended, Americans had no problem going to war with anyone who challenged them.
First Inaugural Address of William J. Clinton
Primary Document Analysis (2):
Secretary of State James Baker spoke at the World Affairs Council in Dallas in March of 1990 to promote democracy to nations with fallen dictators. According to Baker, “Ever since World War II, democratic values have been shadowed by the threat of totalitarian aggression. Now, as the threat is reduced and the shadow recedes, those values are bright and shining and out in the open.” Baker believes democracy is the answer to fixing a lot of nations problems. His speech can be summed up in one sentence, “The time of sweeping away the old dictators is passing fast; the time of building up the new democracies has arrived.” The Secretary of State believed that a democratic government can be beneficial for all nations. His idea is to get “idealism vs. realism [to become] idealism plus realism.”
Democracy and Foreign Policy (1990)
Economy:
Summary:
Throughout Bill Clintons 1992 campaign for the Presidency, he was the candidate that wanted to lead the country out of it’s economic crisis. Clinton ended up beating George Bush in the polls because the public didn’t believe Bush had a plan for stimulating the economy. (The economy had slipped into a recession after the Persian Gulf War in 1991.) Soon after Clinton became president the economy began to grow. Also during this time, the stock market grew, unemployment dropped and inflation stayed low. One of Clintons first order of business as president was to reduce America’s $4 trillion debt. He succeeded in doing this.
Primary Document Analysis (1):
Bill Clinton spoke to the people at the Wharton School of Business on April 16, 1992. This speech was given when he was still only a governor. His economic strategy was to, "Grant every American the right to education and trainging. And also, invest time, patience, and money to rebuild the economy." Clinton goes on to talk about how to rebuild America for the long term and what will need to happen to get America back on track. He realized what George H.W Bush was doing wasn't working. He outlined his ideas to try to fix what happened. Clinton wanted to let America grow economically.
The Economy: Speech
Primary Document Analysis (2):
President Clinton addressed leaders of Congress, members of the cabinet, and many other distinguished guests on September 14, 1993 to discuss the benefits of NAFTA. Clinton was about to sign the papers for NAFTA, North American Free Trade Agreement, and spoke of how this new development would strengthen the economy. He states that exports are a large part of the American Economy and how the trade agreement would make it even stronger. This opportunity would create many new jobs for the American people. He embraced the fact that wars have weakened the economy but strongly believed that the only way to recover was to keep moving forward and accepting changes and creating "the jobs of tomorrow." NAFTA would open up more paths for exports. NAFTA was a new idea that strengthened the economy of the 90's. It was influential and strong, and is still in place today. President Clinton signing the NAFTA papers was what allowed this new opportunity to begin and continue working.
President Clinton Signing NAFTA
Technology:
Summary:
Technology had a huge impact on the 1990’s. About 20% of the work force was high technology jobs. Clinton wanted every hospital and every classroom to be connected to the “information superhighway” by the year 2002. This was obtained by using the Internet. (Which was originally developed by the Dept. of Defense for research.) Technology also impacted health care. Doctors came up with new drug treatments for AIDS. MRI’s were now faster and could be used more often. Technology also improved prosthetic limbs for amputees. With new advances in genetic engineering, food was engineered to last longer and the cloning of animals became more frequent. Transportation and Space Exploration were also impacted in positive ways.
Primary Document Analysis(1):
Bill Gates spoke to his executive staff at Microsoft about the internet on May 26, 1995. He sent a memo to his staff telling them that all they've been doing for the past 20 years is getting more important. He was excited about the Internet and believed it would have a huge impact on "work, learning, and play." He said that the internet should be the highest level of importance in his company. The rest of the "Internet Tidal Wave Memo" goes on to describe the new software that he wanted to develop to make the internet easier for everyone. Gates' memo caused a morale boost for his employees which helped them get inspired to invent things that make internet easier for everyone. Microsoft's technology did have, and still has, a big impact on American's lives.
The Internet Tidal Wave
Primary Document Analysis(2):
Vice President Al Gore spoke at the International Telecommunications Union on March 21, 1994 to discuss his hopes to build a Global Information Infrastructure. He discussed how it would create a network available to everyone all over the world. Not only would this help with education, but it would also help promote democratic ideas. He also hoped that the internet would help cooperation and communication for all people. The new technology in the 90’s benefited many, if not all, Americans and was able to “link the people of the world.”
Vice President AL GORE Information Superhighways Speech
Civil Rights:
Summary:
A major issue in the 90’s was gay rights. "or whether homosexuals should be deprived of the basic rights granted them under the Constitution. serious opponents of "gay rights" readily admit our political system should provide an arena of tolerance for homosexuals, and be assiduous in assuring that all citizens--regardless of their sexual orientation--are secure in their basic rights." A huge gain for civil rights in the 1990’s was the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act, “prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.” Immigration was also at a record high number in the 1990’s. More than a million people a year were crossing our borders. Most settled in the Southeast, Midwest, and Rocky Mountain Regions.
Primary Document Analysis (1):
Executive Order 12958, signed by President Bill Clinton in April of 1995, released Classified National Security Information to the public. President Clinton felt that the public should be allowed to know what was going on in the Government. He felt, "The Nation's progress depends on the free flow of information. This order only allows certain information be released to the public because of safety reasons." The government trusts the American people with more information than before. The Clinton Administration wanted to open some of its doors and let the public know of its activities. This also means that the national security threat had to be down for this kind of information to be available.
Executive Order 12958
Primary Document Analysis (1):
On July 26, 1990 Congress passed The Americans with Disabilities Act. Because the amount of Americans with disabilities continued increasing, Congress believed that it was important to establish rules against discrimination. This act ensured equal rights for all people and made aids and services available for those who need them. This reduced prejudice towards the handicapped in the 90’s and set more restrictions on what employers could to all people who worked for them.
Americans with Disabilities Act; July 26, 1990
Culture:
Summary:
The 90’s were generally “a time of peace” and involved many social upgrades. A new trend of grunge rock dominated the music scene. Many people focused on individuality and freedom and enjoyed new benefits of technological advances. Because new information was available online, everyone was able to share and experience other cultures, as well as communicate easier. Families in the 90’s were “prosperous” as “the divorce rate began to stabilize.” Suburbs were more popular because large city housing was expensive. Telecommuting, working from home, was also used more. Television also saw change with the introduction of “24-hour CNN new coverage” and of course, the premiere of “Beavis and Butthead.” Almost all Americans were able to receive several channels with the spread of satellite TV.
Primary Document Analysis(1):
Economist Milton Friedman wrote a letter to the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Bill Bennett, in April of 1990. Friedman believed that drugs were a major issue in society. He believed drugs should be legalized because, “through repressed and illegal channels [it] creates obscene profits that finance the murderous tactics of the drug lords.” He also thought that illegality leads to corrupt government officials. Friedman went on the link the prohibition of drugs to the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920’s. He thought nothing good could come of it. In his opinion, the money used to fight the spread of drugs should have been used to help rehabilitate drug users. Drug use, especially crack, was on the rise in the 1990’s. Milton Friedman saw a problem in society and proposed a way to fix it.
An Open Letter to Bill Bennett
Primary Document Analysis (2):
Blink-182’s “Girl Next Door”, released in 1994, captured the 90’s culture flawlessly. The girl in the song moves from the big city where she had originally lived. Many American’s moved from their city homes as well and into the suburbs. It also says that she “never missed a day of work” which was similar for many Americans as quite a few of them worked straight from their homes. This song is in the punk rock genre which is part of the grunge trend, a major movement in the 90’s.
Blink 182 Lyrics - The Girl Next Door
Works Cited
1. Clinton, Bill. “First Inaugural Address of President William J. Clinton” University of Oklahoma: College of Law. 9 March 2006. <http://www.law.ou.edu/ushistory/clinton.shtml>
2.Baker, James. “Democracy and Foreign Policy (1990)” Democracy and Foreign Policy. March 1990. <http://usinfo.org/docs/democracy/61.htm>
3.Clinton, Bill. “The Economy: Speech.” The Economy Speech - Philadelphia. 16 April 1992. Wharton School of Business University of Pennsylvania. <http://www.ibiblio.org/nii/econ-posit.html>
4.Clinton, Bill. "Remarks by President Clinton, Bush, Carter, Ford, and VP Al Gore." The White House. 14 September 1993. <http://www.historycentral.com/Documents/Clinton/SigningNaFTA.html>
5.Gates, Bill. “The Internet Tidal Wave.” Scribd. 26 May 1995. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/881657/The-Internet-Tidal-Wave>
6.Gore, Al. "Information Superhighways Speech." 24 March 1994. <http://vlib.iue.it/history/internet/algorespeech.html>
7.Mr. Marco. "A Response to the Gay Activist Movement.” Critical Issues: Volume 1, Issue 3. 13 July 2002. <http://www.leaderu.com/critical/gay90.html>
8."Facts About the Americans with Disabilities Act.” U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 9 September 2008. <http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-ada.html>
9.Capps, Randolph. Fix, Michael. Passel, Jeffrey. “Dispersal of Immigrants in the 1990’s.” Urban Institute. 2002. <http://www.urban.org/publications/410589.html>
10.Clinton, William J. “Executive Order 12958.” Presidential Documents. 20 April 1995. <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=1995_register&docid=fr20ap95-135.pdf>
11.Senate and House of Representatives. "An Act To Establish a Clear and Comprehensive Prohibition of Discrimination on the Basis of Disability." Yale Law School. 26 July 1990. <http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/disabilities_act.asp>
12. Unknown, Author. "Culture of the 1990's." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 28 May 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_1990s>
13. Friedman, Milton. “An Open Letter to Bill Bennett.” Freedom Daily. April 1990. The Wall Street Journal. 06 June 2009. <http://www.fff.org/freedom/0490e.asp>
14. Blink-182. "Girl Next Door." Buddha. Kung Fu Records. 1994.